Hate speech is never acceptable, and thankfully the NHL agrees. In yet another internet distraction amid the Stanley Cup Playoffs, Florida Panthers co-owner and Virtu Financial CEO Douglas Cifu has been suspended indefinitely for “unacceptable and inappropriate” social media activity.

But who exactly is Doug Cifu and how much does he actually have to do with the Panthers?

Well, in 2013 Doug Cifu—alongside longtime business partner Vincent Viola—purchased the franchise (and its associated Sunrise Sports & Entertainment assets) from Cliff Viner. Viola took on the principal roles of chairman, owner and governor, while Cifu became vice-chairman, partner and alternate governor. Despite his minority stake, his recent vulgar conduct online still reflects poorly on the organization.

Following Florida’s Game 4 win, Cifu replied to a fan’s tweet with language the NHL deemed insensitive and offensive.*

Cifu has since issued an apology:

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“My behavior does not reflect the standards of the Florida Panthers organization and the Viola family. I sincerely apologize to all those affected by my comments. I am committed to working with the NHL to amend my actions.”

An in-person meeting with Commissioner Gary Bettman will be scheduled to determine the duration of his suspension and any further discipline.

How has the NHL dealt with suspensions similar to Doug Cifu’s in the past?

Prior to Doug Cifu’s life as co-owner of the Florida Panthers, he was hugely successful in the world of stock trading. Then in 2013, he co-bought the team with Vincent Viola. He spoke of how he used his business knowledge during this time on an episode of the Meta Performance Show, saying, “When we bought the team, it was like a workout; the team was insolvent, on and off the ice, structurally, culturally, financially; it was a troubled franchise.”

He added that, “To be successful in sport when you have a franchise like that, you really have to dive into it, so Vinnie and myself really dove into it.” The two of them then applied the same tactics that they did to their business to the team, like lowering expenditure and infrastructural optimization. This eventually led to the Panthers bagging the Stanley Cup in 2024, onto which Doug Cifu’s name is now inscribed.

However, all that leaves a slightly bad taste in one’s mouth following the recent internet debacle, and depending on how the NHL handles the situation, his name may or may not be etched onto that cup for much longer.

There have been instances in the past where NHL players who have been found using inappropriate language on the ice were made to pay fines and face suspensions. For example, in 2017, Ryan Getzlaf of the Anaheim Ducks was fined $10,000 for using offensive language. Prior to that, Andrew Shaw of the Chicago Blackhawks was suspended for a game and fined $5000 for using an inappropriate gesture.

However, it is hard to say what the long-term consequences will be for a co-owner with an internet trail.

* (Readers who want the full context of his remarks can find them here.)